The Nice List...

Assuming you're on the nice list...

I picked out a few of my favorite items to give and to receive this year.


1) Bond no 9 fragrance. A splurge item for sure this fragrance is sold at Saks in Atlanta and my favorite of the options is Sag Harbor.



www.bondno9.com
 

2) Definitely need some sparkle each year... loving these Blue Grotto Crystal earrings from J. Crew. They were 30% off last time I checked!

www.jcrew.com
 


3) This kitschy tray from the Threshold brand of Target is cute and affordable and a great hostess gift. Love the fox handles! As long as no one starts singing that fox song...

www.target.com
 

4) Would love to deck out the house with these pretty pillows from Bungalow Classic! Bungalow Classic pillow.



www.bungalowclassic.com
 

5) I always love to give and receive great coffee table books. Two of my favorites this year are
Suzanne Kasler's new book Timeless Style and ...

 

 

 

6) ... Life in Color National Geographic Photographs.

7) Great gadget gift ... Jonathan Adler's portable charger Diamonds on the Go!

www.jonathanadler.com
 

 

8) Isn't this a stunning dress? And peacock blue is so flattering. Anthropologie's icefall maxi dress.



www.anthropologie.com
 

9) Yummy smelling candles from The Buttercup in Charlotte NC. My pick is the Votivo Holiday Quatrefoil Tin in Red Currant.

10) And topping my list this year is a Celine handbag! Isn't she pretty?!

Happy Holidays!!!

Urban Farmhouse

Gorgeous items abound at the adorable store Urban Farmhouse in the crabapple area of North Fulton. A great place to get ideas, be inspired, and pick up something unique for your space.

Located in an old farmhouse style home in downtown crabapple with an iron chandelier hanging on the magnificent tree out front. 

 

And if you bring someone tiny with you to browse you can bribe them with a trip to the ice cream shop next door. If you have your significant other there is an Irish pub two doors down as well!

Owned by interior designer Kim Hirsch it's no wonder the displays are incredible. Look at this headboard and the tufted poofs and the foot of the bed are amazing. 

You can find unique furniture pieces or small accessories such as yummy smelling candles pretty enough to leave in any room.

A few images from the store...Lots of original artwork mostly in soft muted shades.

Cute side chairs for a desk, hallway, or to fill a small spot in a living room.

Artistic sconces with incredible patina and character.

Equestrian bookends and a coffee table book about the historic barns and farms of the area.

Pillows and throws to add a seasonal pop of color.

A beautiful lighting option... these would be gorgeous in a main level powder room or in a master suite.

A mirrored sideboard ...this would make a cute bar or a great piece for an entry hall.

Lanterns make pretty accents for a mantle or fireplace hearth.

Soft upholstery and pillows with unique lamps and side table options. Whimsical deer artwork by artist Brooke Lowe.

Faux boxwoods in wooden planters perfect year round for an entry.

I took two images of these burlap/ linen covered chairs with nailhead detail. Would be great at the head of a dining table to mix in with your current chairs.

Thanksgiving table decor options...

 

 And look up to view incredible lighting options as well.   

 

 

Definitely worth a drive to pick up a unique item to layer into your home.

Color Forecast 2014

I recently attended a seminar put on by Sherwin Williams about trends in paint color for 2014. They have a slew of color experts that are surveyed to predict what types of colors will be trending in the upcoming year.

The palette gravitated towards four distinct groups of colors according to SW.

Not too surprising the theme that gray is the new black was prevalent and cool neutrals that mimic the colors of shadows were forefront.

Some of my favorite from this group are an old standby, Agreeable Gray...

SW 7029 Agreeable Gray

and Peppercorn ...

SW 7674 Peppercorn

Totally opposite of the cool neutrals trending in the coming year is a group of colors that are bold and considered to evoke "cultural traditions". I can see using these strong colors as accents. My favorites are...

Ablaze

SW 6870 Ablaze

 

Georgian Bay

SW 6509 Georgia Bay

and Houseplant

SW 6727 Houseplant

The third group of colors highlighted were light and soft colors that were feminine and simple. My top choices here are ...

Steamed Milk

SW 7554 Steamed Milk

and Malted Milk

SW 6057 Malted Milk

I have 3 more picks that fall into their "fantasy" category!

Quixotic Plum

SW 6265 Quixotic Plum

Library Pewter

SW 0038 Library Pewter

And loving this gorgeous rich color!

Blue Peacock

SW 0064 Blue Peacock

 It would be bold on a front entry like this picture found on Pinterest.

www.pinterest.com

 Speaking of Pinterest, there is a board with all the of the 2014 choices just click here.

Cheers!

Summer is the time of year when schedules are off, things slow down, and we have more visitors than usual. Nothing makes me happier than family or friends visiting! The bar in our home is a focal point and I keep it stocked so no need to run out before company except to add fresh fruit or flowers.



www.kkongdesigns.com

 

This is a picture of our bar taken by Christina Wedge during a recent photo shoot of our home. The over sized mirror was actually a DIY project comprised of beveled mirror squares that I purchased at Home Depot. Using silicone, I attached the mirrors to the wall and then used 4" primed casing stock, also from HD, to attach the frame. To give the frame an aged wood look I used one of the crackling paint kits from Michael's. Together they make a large impact but at a fraction of the cost for a mirror of this size. I like using the mirror as a backdrop and layer items over it to add interest and depth. Right now I have the feather wreath, which softens the lines of the sideboard and mirror, but I change it out depending on my mood or the season. I leave the most colorful bottles out on display along with black and white striped straws and fresh fruit to add a pop of color.

Here are a few of my favorite images of pretty bars and bar carts.

www.blog.hgtv.com
 



honestlyyum.com


 

Pinterest



www.countryliving.com
 

 

Pinterest
 

www.housebeautiful.com
 



www.housebeautiful.com
 

I love how each bar is so unique utilizing such varied furniture options indicative to the space's particular style from a potting bench to an antique library and even a casual wicker basket.

 

Cheers to always being ready to greet a friend with stylish hospitality!